The Fat Problem

Pets have begun to follow their owners nowadays, at least in the physical sense. They are beginning to compete with their owners for the ballooning waistlines. If owners eat rich fatty foods and lead a sedentary lifestyle, how can the pets be left behind? After all, pets are their extended families! Pets these days have begun to enjoy watching the tube with their owners and are happily chowing up their favorite pet snacks their owners feed them and are growing obese. Wagging their tails is the maximum exercise they get! A study conducted shows that over one third of the pets in America are obese and as with humans, it is an area of concern as obesity takes a toll on the pet’s health and they suffer from diabetes and joint diseases. Pet food that is available in the market is another reason for this epidemic. The food that is manufactured for pets is cheap and has little nutritional value. Restricting a dog’s diet can extend its lifetime by almost 2 years. Dogs eating 25 percent less than their canine cohorts were less likely to have diabetes and osteoarthritis according to a study. What can you do? Clinical veterinary nutritionist Tony Buffington has some tips on keeping your pets fit and healthy. 1. Control portions. Feed your pets according to their body conditions score, which can be found online. 2. Go for a walk. Increase the animal’s activity, but do so gradually. If you and your pet have been spending most of your free time on the couch, start out slowly and make sure you’re both having fun. One study found that owners who exercised with their pets had more effective workouts than people exercising alone. 3. Let animals be animals. Hide treats for your cat around the house so it can put its hunting skills to work. Take your dog off its leash in a safe place outdoors and watch Fido’s spirited sprint. Image Source